Austria
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Austria's 2024 reproductive trends reveal a subtle decline in total maternal rate to 63.4%, continuing a downward trajectory seen over the past five years and marking a point modestly below its 1980s average. Despite this, lifetime childlessness has inched upward to 36.6%, maintaining a rising path over recent years. Meanwhile, the average age of mothers at childbirth continues to climb, reflecting demographic shifts towards later parenthood.
- The total maternal rate fell by 1.0 percentage point from 2023 to 2024, now below the 1980s average by about 3.6 percentage points.
- Lifetime childlessness increased by 1.0 percentage point, with a five-year average rising trend compared to the 1980s level.
- Average maternal age rose by 0.5 years to 30.4 years, nearly six years higher than the 1980s baseline.
- Austria's completed parity mean remains steady at 2.06 children, slightly below its 1980s figure, while total fertility grew modestly to 36.8%.
In 2024, Austria’s total maternal rate and children per mother show slight declines, with a rising average maternal age and increasing childlessness.
- Total maternal rate at 63.4%, slightly below Europe’s average, ranked 19th in Europe
- Children per mother steady at 2.06, ranking 12th in Europe
- Average maternal age increased to 30.4 years, 10th oldest in Europe
- Lifetime childlessness rose to 36.6%, ranking 13th in Europe
- Total fertility gap implies a 75% drop in great-grandchildren without migration
Key fertility indicators — Austria
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 63.4% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 36.6% |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 30.4 years |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 49.0 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 25 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
The total maternal rate (TMR) in 2024 stands at 63.4%, showing a slight decrease of 1.0 percentage point compared to 2023. Over the past five years, this rate has trended downward, averaging 67.5% between 2020 and 2024. When compared to the 1980s average of 67.0%, the current rate is approximately 3.6 percentage points lower. Historically, the lowest TMR for Austria was observed in the mid-1980s (1985–1987), with an average of 66.5%. On the international stage, Austria is positioned 21st out of 38 countries, and within Europe, it holds the 19th rank among 31 nations.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 69.1% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 69.4% |
| 1990 | 67.1% | 2023 | 64.4% |
| 2000 | 65.1% | 2024 | 63.4% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2024, Austria's children per mother (CPM) stands at 2.063, showing a slight increase from 2.044 in 2023. Over the past five years, the average CPM has been on a gentle decline, reaching 2.0566. This figure is about 0.12 lower than the average from the 1980s, which was 2.18. Austria's CPM is reflected within a global context as well as a European one, though specific rankings are not included here.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 2.09 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.07 |
| 1990 | 2.17 | 2023 | 2.04 |
| 2000 | 2.09 | 2024 | 2.06 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age (AMA) at birth reached 30.4 years in 2024, marking an increase of 0.5 years from the year before. AMA has been on an upward trend over the last five years, with an average of 30.0 years during this period. This figure is 5.9 years greater than the average recorded in the 1980s. Austria places 15th among 38 countries worldwide and holds the 10th position out of 31 within Europe.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 28.23 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 29.71 |
| 1990 | 24.97 | 2023 | 29.90 |
| 2000 | 26.39 | 2024 | 30.42 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
The Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) for Austria stands at 36.8% in 2024, corresponding to a total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.31. This marks a slight increase from 36.5% in 2023. Over the past five years, the TFG has steadily climbed, averaging 32.9% between 2020 and 2024. Since the 1980s, when the average was 29.4%, the current figure has risen by approximately 7.4 percentage points. The lowest recorded TFG occurred during the early 1990s, specifically from 1991 to 1993, at 27.3%. Internationally, Austria holds the 16th position among 38 countries, while in the European context, it ranks 11th out of 31.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 30.3% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 30.7% |
| 1990 | 29.6% | 2023 | 36.5% |
| 2000 | 34.1% | 2024 | 36.8% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, Austria’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 49.0 years. It is essentially unchanged from the previous year. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 56.1 years. Compared with the 1980s average (52.9 years), SHL is now shorter by about 3.9 years.
Globally, Austria ranks 24 out of 38 countries.Within Europe, it ranks 22 out of 31.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Austria, there would be 25 great-grandchildren, representing a -75.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Austria ranks 16 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 11 out of 31.
Birth trajectory
Projected on the 2024 birth trajectory, the number of births is expected to halve from 77,238 in 2024 to 38,619 by 2073. Furthermore, by 2187, births could decline by 90%, reaching just 7,724, assuming no migration influences these numbers. Additional milestones include a 75% reduction in births by 2122, highlighting a significant downward trend over the coming centuries.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
Austria’s lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) reached 36.6% in 2024, marking an increase of 1.0 percentage point from the previous year. The trend over the last five years shows a steady rise, with the 2020–2024 average at 32.5%. This figure stands about 3.6 percentage points above the 1980s average of 33.0%. The rate hit its lowest during the 2015–2017 period, averaging 27.4%. On a global scale, Austria ranks 18th out of 38 countries, and within Europe, it holds the 13th position out of 31.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 30.9% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 30.6% |
| 1990 | 32.9% | 2023 | 35.6% |
| 2000 | 34.9% | 2024 | 36.6% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total births
In 2024, the total number of births reached 77,238, showing only a slight decrease from the 77,571 recorded in 2023. The trend over the last five years has been a decline, with an average of 81,413 births annually during this period. When looking back to the 1980s, the average number of births was notably higher at 87,808, making the recent figure about 10,570 fewer births, which equates to a 12.0% drop.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 78.7k |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 83.6k |
| 1990 | 90.4k | 2023 | 77.6k |
| 2000 | 78.3k | 2024 | 77.2k |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
Austria's Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) reached 35.6% in 2024, marking a decrease of 3.0 percentage points from the previous year. Over the last five years, the indicator has been on a downward trend, with an average of 37.1% from 2020 to 2024. When compared to the 1980s average of -13.7%, the current BRI is about 49.3 percentage points higher. On the global stage, Austria holds the 19th position among 35 countries, while within Europe, it ranks 16th out of 30.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 37.8% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 40.2% |
| 1990 | 23.0% | 2023 | 38.6% |
| 2000 | 23.5% | 2024 | 35.6% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
